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It is estimated that almost one in three American adults suffer from hypertension. But only about half of these people have the condition under control. Considering that uncontrolled hypertension is one of the leading causes of mortality in the world, effective management is now being integrated as a regular part of therapy, much like the use of glucometers in the case of diabetes.

More and more doctors these days recommend that people get home a blood pressure monitor that enables them to keep track of their blood pressure data which can be vital in preventing the condition from escalating.

However, unlike a glucometer, very little is known about blood pressure monitors. Most people are unaware of how it works, how to use it and have only tested their blood pressure in a clinic or a hospital setting.

You’d be surprised to know that blood pressure monitors are now available in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and configurations. From sleek models that can be clipped on to your fingers, to ones that can be strapped around your wrist and more conventional ones that need to be strapped to your upper arms, there is no dearth of options.

But not all of these are built alike. The smaller models, in particular, are riddled with inaccuracy, and that’s not something that we’d recommend. For this reason, we have created a list of the top 5 blood pressure monitors that are considered to be the most accurate, are easy to use and comfortable to wear.

#1 – Omron 10 Series

One of the challenges of picking a blood pressure monitor for home use is that there are many tiny variations which can occur due to the change in body position and even due to the time at which the reading is taken.

That’s where the Omron 10 series wireless blood pressure monitor scores over the rest. It is by far, the most accurate one that we have ever seen with consistently accurate readings at different times of the day.

No wonder that it is the top rated product on Amazon as well as by numerous online independent reviewers.

The Omron 10 features a compact device with a one-touch operation, a sleeve that is compatible with all arm sizes (9″-17″) and a terrific LCD display that shows you all the information you need in a clear and high-contrast font. There’s a green light which flashes if your pressure is normal and another one which indicates if you have hypertension. A bar is displayed which lets you compare your pressure level with the normal recommended levels.

Using it is as straightforward as it gets. Just strap the cuff around your arm, press the button to start the process and you are done. The cuff will inflate rapidly and stop automatically when it’s done. To ensure better accuracy, it takes three readings at one-minute intervals.

It has an internal memory that stores up to 200 readings for a single user or 100 each for two users. Switching between the two users is pretty easy as there’s a dedicated manual slider for it.

You can sync the Omron 10 with the Omron Wellness app via Bluetooth and download all your readings into it. This makes it easier to track as well as share with your healthcare provider.

Despite all the features and the excellent customer ratings, the Omron 10 is priced just under $70 which makes it an inexpensive investment that can make life easier for you.

#2 – Balance Blood Pressure Monitor Kit

The Balance Blood Pressure Monitor Kit, which is also called the Health Gurus monitor is another budget-priced FDA approved kit with excellent customer ratings that have remained consistent over the past few years.

Since it has been in the market for a while now, it is not teeming with latest features like Bluetooth connectivity. Instead, it has a universal sized cuff that extends from 8 ¾ inches to a whopping 16 ½ inches in size. That’s almost extending from small to large size in a single cuff.

Also, for an arm sized above 16 inches, it fits perfectly, and there is no under-cuffing which can often lead to inaccurate readings.

Operation is simple. Strap on the cuff, press a button and let the meter do its job. Results are displayed on the backlit 2 ¾ inch LCD screen in an oversized font. Like most other barebones blood pressure monitors, it displays irregular heartbeat data along with a comparison bar that lets you compare your blood pressure with the recommended levels.

The internal memory is pretty limited. It allows two users to store up to 60 readings each. And you can switch users at the touch of a button. In addition to this, you can also set the date and time. However, this gets reset automatically when you switch the batteries. There are no connectivity options to download the data to data management software.

Having said that, the Balance Blood Pressure Monitor is known for its accuracy. Customer ratings and feedback indicates that this is one of the most accurate blood pressure monitors they have used. And don’t forget that it is priced under $35.

The package also includes a power adapter and a carry case which is pretty amazing.

#3 – LotFancy Blood Pressure Monitor

Many a times, we receive requests from our readers about budget priced offerings. Well, here’s one just for you guys. The LotFancy Blood Pressure Monitor is an FDA-approved and CE certificated device that is considered to be very accurate, easy to use and easy to carry.
The best part is that it is priced under $25.

It has a reasonably sized cuff that extends from 8.6 to 14.2 inches in arm size. That should suffice most normal sized people. However, if your arm size is more than that, then you’d have to buy a large sized cuff which is available at an additional price.

The monitor itself is a compact device with a large LCD display. Along with displaying your blood pressure, it also shows your irregular heart rate and displays a WHO blood pressure chart which classifies blood pressure readings into various groups.

The Lotfancy monitor also has an internal memory function that stores up to 30 readings for four users. Along with displaying the readings for each user, you also have the option to check the average of the last three readings.

The user interface is slightly obsolete though, and it takes some getting used to, to figure out how to use the reading settings for individual users.

It has a one button operation, and once you have wrapped the cuff around your arm, all that you have to do is press a button and the cuff inflates automatically and shuts off when done.

The package does not include a power source, though. You’d need to buy four AA batteries or a power adapter separately. It is very energy efficient, and four AA batteries usually last for a few months if you perform just one test a day.

Accurate, fast, easy to use and priced under $25, that’s an unbeatable combo. You can also pick a package with the adapter and a large sized cuff for just over $30. The LotFancy blood pressure monitor cuff is not as comfortable as the Omron 10. But at this price point, you will not find a better choice.

Best features

#4 – Vive Precision Blood Pressure Monitor

One-size-fits-all cuffs have become quite popular among families because it enables multiple people in the household to use the blood pressure monitor without having to pay for additional cuffs. The Vive Precision Blood Pressure monitor is the latest one to incorporate this into their design. The cuff is comfortable and extends from 8.75” to 16.5” going from XS to XL.

It is a sleeve style cuff though that you’d have to slide over the arms rather than a wrap-around styled cuff.

But that’s not all. Vive Precision commands excellent customer ratings on most online retail portals. In a market that is dominated by a handful of brands and which sees newer additions each day, Vive Precision has managed to hold on to its position with consistently good customer ratings.

It is a very sleek blood pressure monitor that has a one-button operation and a large backlit LCD display. Along with blood pressure, it also detects irregular heartbeat. It has a large internal memory and can store up to 500 readings for one user or 250 each for two users.

That’s more memory than any of the other models that we have reviewed so far. There is a dedicated user button that lets you toggle between the two user readings.

The package also includes four AAA-sized batteries which translates into savings that you would otherwise spend on a power source.

The best part is that the Vive Precision Blood Pressure monitor is priced under $30. Once again, this is an unbelievably good package at the price point. It is accurate, fast, easy to use and has great customer ratings.

Best features

One size fits all cuff that extends from 8.75 inches to 16.5 inches

Large backlit LCD display

Large internal memory that stores up to 500 readings for a single user

#5 – Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor

We thought that we’d add some schmancy tech to finish this list of the best blood pressure monitors in style. This is the Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor that is the most advanced one in the market currently. It is a Bluetooth-enabled wireless device that only contains a sleek upper arm cuff. There is no monitor.

It syncs with the Withings Health Mate App on your tablet or smartphone which performs the readings for you. So, you just have to download the mobile application, set up your account once, slip it over your arm, turn on the device and wait for the readings. The app will be launched in your phone automatically when you switch on the device.

The readings are displayed as charts and are stored in the cloud which allows you to download, access or share it any time. One of the advantages of it being a mobile based application is that you can configure it for multiple users. There’s a simple user icon on the app which allows you to switch between users.

Along with charts, it can also show you averages and comparisons. It detects your blood pressure, heart rate and the number of steps you walked in the week. The settings menu is elaborate and allows you to set reminders for taking your medications, attach notes to each reading and configure the device to take an average reading from three readings.

Also, the software is available for a desktop PC as well as a MAC. This allows you to get your readings to your PC instead of your smartphone if need be.

If you hate carrying a travel case for your blood pressure monitor, then this is just what you need. It folds and slips easily into a corner of your tote. Also, the cuff extends from 9 inches to 17 inches in size making it ideal for people of all sizes.

It is compatible with most newer versions of Android and iOS. The original iPads are not compatible though which is a bummer.

Priced above $90, the Withings blood pressure monitor may seem like a tad expensive especially if you compare it with the budget priced models that we have included in this list. But the USP is the wireless connectivity and the portability. We live in an era where everything is being incorporated into our smartphones.

How to pick the best blood pressure monitor

As we mentioned at the start of this discussion that there are three types of blood pressure monitors that are available for home use. However, finger monitors and wrist monitors are considered to be less accurate as compared to monitors that have cuffs that go around the upper arm. This is mainly because these types of monitors rely on an algorithm that tries to compensate for the distance of the measuring point from the heart. This makes them inconsistent and unreliable.

The accuracy and the ease of use that comes with upper arm blood pressure monitors make them an excellent choice for home use. Here are a few factors to consider before picking one of these for your home.

Tested and approved devices

Before you get swayed by fancy features and exaggerated claims, you must look for a device that is accurate and reliable. There are independent organizations which test medical devices for their accuracy and capabilities. When it comes to blood pressure monitors, some of the notable organizations include the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol (ESH-IP), Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and British Hypertension Society. Every quality blood glucose meter manufacturer will publish whether it has been tested and validated according to the protocols set by these organizations. If you are unsure about it, you’d want to check this before you buy. Our #1 pick, the Omron 10 adheres to all three standards mentioned here.

One Touch Operation

Most blood pressure monitors for home use are completely automated (digital) and have a one-touch operation. This means that you’d only have to wrap or slip the cuff to your upper arm and press a button to get the readings on the screen. These make it easy to use the device without assistance from a caregiver. Even elderly people can easily use it.

Backlit Display

Having a backlit display is not mandatory, but it helps especially if you are using the monitor in a low light situation or if the person using it has vision deterioration due to age. Also, the larger the display, the easier it is to see the readings.

Internal Memory

Picking a blood pressure monitor with internal memory makes it easier to keep track of your blood pressure readings over a period of time. Also, it is a lot easier than having to manually write down the readings every time. Some monitors store up to 500 readings while some can only store up to 60. If you plan to use data management software on a PC or on a smartphone device, then you’d want to pick a device that allows you to download the readings on to it.

Connectivity

Many newer blood pressure monitors feature Bluetooth connectivity that enables you to sync it with a smartphone app. Not only does this make it easier to download the readings on to the software, but it also eliminates the hassles that come with using cables. Not to mention that it becomes a lot easier to carry. If you travel frequently, you’d want to check out the #5 pick in this list, the Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor.

Cuff Size

The cuff size is undoubtedly one of the most critical factors of a blood pressure monitor that can affect the readings that you get. A wrong cuff size will result in an incorrect reading. Experts call this under-cuffing. To measure your cuff size accurately, measure the circumference of the upper arm at a point that is in the middle of your shoulders and your elbow. In some cases, the cuff that comes with your blood pressure monitor may not be the right fit for you, and you may have to buy one separately. The sizing that is followed by manufacturers in the USA is as follows.

6 – 7.1 = XS or Extra Small

1 – 8.7 inches = Small

8 – 12.8 inches = Medium

8 – 18 inches = Large

18 – 24 inches = XL or Extra Large

Additional readings

You can also narrow down on a blood pressure monitor based on the types of readings it can be used to measure. Most of the popular models will detect your blood pressure, the pulse and also irregular heartbeat which is known as atrial defibrillation.

Averages

Some blood pressure monitors, like the Omron 10 measures the readings multiple times in pulses and shows you the average number. This increases accuracy and reduces the chances of error that can occur due to the body position.

Wrap-Up

Despite the overwhelming number of choices in the market, buying a blood pressure monitor need not be tricky at all. We hope that this guide helps you understand some of the features and the factors that must be considered before you make a choice.

Important Note: Notwithstanding any of the information in this article consult your doctor on the use of this device, and how it can be used to monitor your personal health situation. Also, consult the instructions and warnings for your particular device.

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